J“Welcome back, Jane. Ready to fight?”
That was the immediate reaction when news broke that Jane Kim — the former San Francisco supervisor and longtime progressive figure — is once again stepping into the political spotlight.
For many in the Korean American community, Kim is not just another candidate. She is “that Jane” from San Francisco — the ex-rookie supervisor who rose quickly in one of the nation’s most competitive political landscapes, a proud and fierce supporter of Bernie Sanders, a Taekwondo black belt and even a bass guitarist. To some, she once embodied the image of a modern, fearless public servant — a role model who blended policy expertise with cultural pride.
Now, she is seeking statewide office, running for California Insurance Commissioner.
“The Insurance System Isn’t Working”
In an interview with the Korea Daily, Kim sharply criticized California’s current insurance framework.
“The insurance system is not functioning as it should,” she said. “Insurance must be accessible and affordable for everyone.”
Her campaign centers on consumer protection — a timely issue as California homeowners face rising premiums and shrinking coverage options amid wildfire risk and market withdrawals by major insurers.
Kim describes her candidacy as a continuation of a lifelong commitment to public service.
“I’ve been interested in community service since I was young, and this challenge is an extension of that,” she said.
From Immigrant Roots to City Hall
Who is she? Kim was born in 1977 in New York to Korean immigrant parents who moved to the United States in 1971. Her parents operated small businesses selling cosmetics and women’s clothing — a background that shaped her understanding of working-class struggles.
She earned a degree in political science from Stanford University and later graduated from UC Berkeley School of Law, becoming a California attorney.
Her political career began in 2007 when she was elected to the San Francisco Board of Education, serving until 2010 and chairing the board in her final year. She then served two terms, from 2011 to 2019, on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
In 2020, she took on a national role as California political director for Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign.
A Decade of Relentless Campaigns
Kim’s political journey has been anything but easy.
In 2016, she ran for California’s 11th State Senate District. Although she finished first in the primary, she ultimately lost in a runoff to Scott Wiener.
Two years later, she ran in the 2018 San Francisco mayoral special election, finishing third with 24.03% of the first-round vote — a significant showing in a highly competitive field.
For the Korean American community, her repeated bids represented more than personal ambition; they symbolized visibility and advancement in a political arena where minority candidates often face steep barriers.
San Francisco is known for its progressive identity, but that does not necessarily mean smoother pathways for minority candidates. A larger playing field simply means more competitors running just as hard.
Over the past decade, Kim’s challenges have continued — sometimes less visible, but never paused.
A Crowded Race Ahead
Her latest campaign will be no exception.
According to reporting by CalMatters, the race for Insurance Commissioner already includes six major contenders, three of whom are Democrats. The competition within and across party lines is expected to be intense.
Yet supporters argue that Kim’s experience in consumer advocacy, housing policy, and financial oversight uniquely positions her to address California’s insurance crisis.
More Than a Campaign
As Kim approaches 50, her political journey reflects the broader questions facing many immigrant communities: representation, resilience, and the cost of persistence.
Her career echoes the trajectory of other Korean American political figures who faced repeated electoral battles before achieving broader recognition.
Whether this campaign results in victory remains to be seen. But for many in the community, her return itself carries symbolic weight.
For more information about her platform, you can visit her campaign website at janekim.org.
Kyeongjun Kim (kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com) contributed to this report.
Brian Choi [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
